Kidnapping charge man faces jury trial

A MAN who is accused of kidnapping a man in Chiseldon last year is to face trial by judge and jury.

Amritpar Chahal is also charged with robbery in relation to the alleged incident on Wednesday October 2.

It is alleged the 25-year-old kidnapped Ravi Agarwal from the petrol station on the A345 at Chiseldon shortly after 1pm.

He is said to have driven the 33-year-old, against his will, to Marlborough where he was beaten and robbed before being dumped at a remote farm in Ogbourne St George. Chahal, of Porthcawl, South Wales, pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery and kidnap when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

He is said to have robbed Mr Agarwal of money, his wallet, a mobile phone and jewellery. Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case to Monday May 12 and released him on conditional bail.

The bail conditions state that he must live at his home address, observe a night time curfew, stay out of Wiltshire and the city of Cardiff.

He has also been told not to contact witnesses, to report to the police three times a week and put up a £5,000 surety.